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stemsandforks

STEMS AND FORKS
Beautiful musings of flora and fare.
Photographer, recipe developer, floral designer. Toronto Canada #makingtheordinaryextraordinary

WORKSHOP: Toronto 2 days Sat February 22nd and Sun

Banana Cardamom Fritters with an Orange cardamom g

Banana Cardamom Fritters with an Orange cardamom glaze. From the amazing Canadian chef @mary_berg3 cookbook KITCHEN PARTY. Originally with raspberries I swapped it out for over ripe bananas I had to use up. Kitchen Party is creative yet sensible, delicious, uncomplicated and beautiful. Just a warning for those that do make this recipe which yields 12 fritters ....make double 😉 .
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#maryskitchenparty #maryberg #donuts #ohcanada #stemsandforks #makingtheordinaryextraordinary #beautifulcuisines #hautecuisines #foodstyling #foodphotography

Moineau coaxing Pepper and Roxy with some snacks t

Moineau coaxing Pepper and Roxy with some snacks to sit still for a photo. Of course they never managed to sit still. Feeling fulfilled, fortunate and blessed to have these kids and pups in my life. We have a roof, food and our health. Not everyone can say they have all or any of these things. In Canada, 1 in 4 kids are malnourished. The good news is 15 years ago it was 1 in 3. For 2020, lets ALL try to get this figure down even more. How can you help? This new years eve as you all head out for dinner consider choosing a restaurant that supports @mealshare and order a meal share item from the menu. For every Meal share menu item you order, a meal is provided to a youth in need. @mealshare has served over 3 million meals to date. see my link in stories for a list of all 460 restaurants across canada. Happy New Year, New Decade! Wishing you all health and happiness. xo 🥂🍾🥳 #forcharity #endyouthhunger #tdot #ohcanada #mealshare #loveandpeace #2020 #giveback

#sponsored Onigiri (Rice ball) Platter made with @

#sponsored Onigiri (Rice ball) Platter made with @Usaricecan USA Short Grain Sushi Rice with fillings such as home-made Furikake, spicy tuna and steamed mushroom/bonito. I’ll be serving these as a starter tomorrow night with my family. These Onigiri balls are super easy to make but the results are sure to impress. American short grain rice and I go way way back. Being Korean/Japanese, this humble grain has been a daily staple in my life. In fact, it’s the first thing I learned to cook from my mother. And the first grain I fed my children. Tip: Let your sushi rice grains sit in water at room temperature after washing for at least 30 minutes before cooking for fluffier and soft textured rice. Recipe link in stories or use this link https://riceinfo.com/recipe/onigiri-rice-ball-platter/
#riceislife #usarice #canada
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#sushi #onigiri #japanese #korean #쌀 #ご飯 #米は命 #밥은생명이다 #thiskoreanbakes #makingtheordinaryextraordinary #food52 #foodfluffer #hautecuisines #nytimesfood

Broccoli (Romanesco) with orange zest and almonds.

Broccoli (Romanesco) with orange zest and almonds. From Nisha Vora’s @rainbowplantlife The Vegan Instant Pot cookbook.
It’s been a busy year and I’ve been loving all her easy flavourful and fulfilling recipes which my non vegan family has been thoroughly enjoying. This book has not left my kitchen. Merci @rainbowplantlife one of my fave cookbooks ever ! 💫😘
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#vegan #bestofvegan #thrive #vegancookbook #rainbowplantlife #cookbook #foodphotography #foodstyling

Hope you all had a joyous Christmas. I played Nint

Hope you all had a joyous Christmas. I played Nintendo with the kids, played tug of war with the dogs, slept and maybe I worked too. But it was peaceful, and relaxing. Hope yours was too xo .
Cherry cake I made with local ingredients back in June 🍒

Watch this quick video for a tutorial on the prope

Watch this quick video for a tutorial on the proper way to serve your guests cake this holiday season. Simple, clean and efficient. Pictured above is @MetroOntario delicious Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting dressed with some fresh fruit. One of many beautiful cakes ready to go @metroontario . See my stories for another way to dress your cake! #mymetro

#sponsored Tagliatelle with Walnut Pesto and Morel

#sponsored Tagliatelle with Walnut Pesto and Morels. Filling, scrumptious, beautiful and totally elevated enough to serve for any holiday dinner or brunch. Add a crisp and refreshing #PeroniNastroAzzuro beer to this meal to make it all out blissful. This pasta and beer has been on repeat all weekend, saluti or cheers @peroni_ca See below for the recipe and visit my stories for a quick video on the making of this super easy pasta.
#PeroniPartner #Peroni #VitaConStile
Recipe:
Tagliatelle with Walnut Pesto and Morels
Serves 4

Ingredients:
280 g dried tagliatelle or 400 g fresh tagliatelle
1 teaspoon of salt for the water
175 g or about 1.5 cups walnuts (save 1/2 cup for garnishing)
40 g or 1.5 cups fresh basil
1 clove garlic
75 g or 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1.5 teaspoon salt or modify to taste.
pepper to taste
150 g or 1 heaping cup of cherry or raisin tomatoes
17-20 g or 1 cup dried morels
1 table spoon Extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Salt
Pepper to taste
micro greens or basil to garnish

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350F
Soak dried morels in bowl of warm water for 15-20 minutes. Rinse, strain and set aside.
Arrange walnuts on one half of baking tray.
Place the grape/cherry tomatoes and morels on other half of baking tray and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.
After 8 minutes, remove the toasted walnuts from the baking tray. Return the tray with the tomatoes and morels back into oven for another 6-8 minutes or until the tomato skins begin to wrinkle
Bring about 3-4 litres with 1 teaspoon salt to a boil.
Add the tagliatelle and cook to desired tenderness.
While the pasta is cooking, make the pesto.
In food processor/blender, combine 1 cup only of toasted walnuts, all the basil, garlic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, parmesan, salt and pepper to taste.
Add olive oil to the mixture in a slow and steady stream or until consistency is smooth.
add 1 teaspoon Salt and pepper to taste.
In large pan or bowl, toss the pesto and pasta together.
Serve with some of the roasted morels and tomatoes on top.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup roasted walnuts on top.
Enjoy with cold Peroni Nastro Azzurro!
buon appetito!

#sponsored Want to impress your guests this holida

#sponsored Want to impress your guests this holiday season? Try making this Croquembouche tower filled with Strawberry Crème Pâtissière. Made with @Delfrescopure YES!Berries Strawberries, these berries are known for their fresh summer fragrance, sweet taste, and red jewelled flesh. Grown in a clean greenhouse environment where they use good bugs to fight the bad bugs, Lucky for us Ontarionians, YES!Berries are available locally all year round. Get the recipe for this epic 100+ choux puff tower via the link below or in my stories. Your house will smell like a strawberry field! https://www.delfrescopure.com/recipe/?recipe=148
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#yesberries #getberried #delfrescopure #strawberries

Anyone who’s been by my home this time of year,

Anyone who’s been by my home this time of year, knows it’s a revolving door…a constant flow of people. Some linger a few minutes, others…a few hours. A pot of coffee is always on and so is a large platter of @MetroOntario Irresistibles festive cookies and fresh fruits. Some of my family favourites, Irresistibles Hazelnut Wafer Rolls, Irresitibles Shortbread, Irresistibles Danish Style Cookies, Selection Premier Pecan Clusters and Selections Premier Truffles. All available at your local @MetroOntario or just stop by my place 🎄 . #mymetro

Anyone know what this iconic structure is? Last w

Anyone know what this iconic structure is?

Last week all my nights were dedicated to building this intricate gingerbread structure. If you haven’t guessed by now, it’s the Notre Dame of Paris. I had the honour of presenting this on @themarilyndenisshow alongside the lovely @little_lunch_love with her amazing Home Alone inspired gingerbread house. Thanks to @vijayaselvara for helping me add the secret ingredient - grains. Massive thanks to @irene_matys You can catch the episode that aired today On Demand.
Swipe to see the other side of the gingerbread cathedral.

Pro tip: Melt down gummy bears and marshmallows to use as your adhesive. Works better than traditional royal icing.

HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY! #sponsored Win this beautiful @

HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY! #sponsored Win this beautiful @padernokitchenware 12-piece Canadian Copper Cookware Set. A perfect gift for that loved one with the mismatched cookset such as myself!) I’m looking forward to entertaining guests over the holidays with these stunning pots and pans. My favourite feature?They’re oven-safe and the heat conduction is incredible. And they’re made right here in PEI, Canada. To enter follow the rules below. Good Luck! #itsacookingthing
Rules & Regulations:
1) Follow @padernokitchenware and @stemsandforks on Instagram

2) Tag a friend who could use this to make the most of their holiday meals

3) Details: This contest is open to Canadian residents only, excluding Quebec. Prize valued at $1,999.99 CAD.
Contest ends on December 19 at 11:59 PM EST. 1 Winner will be selected at random and will be contacted through DM on December 20, 2019.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram.

STARS ARE FIRE A new line of candles by @tatineoff

STARS ARE FIRE
A new line of candles by @tatineofficial Stars are Fire. A simple candle…Hope, loss, dreams, mortality, love. A birthday wish, a source of warmth and light. A way for the soul to depart the world but body to reincarnate to smoke and ash. We may perish but we are forever present with that simple thing called fire.
Honoured to have shot @tatineofficial new line of candles that transforms into a safe drinking glass (lead free) once the candle has completed. #tatine #tatinecandles #notsponsored #vanitas #fireandice #hamlet

Haven’t baked much for the past couple months. S

Haven’t baked much for the past couple months. So a ginger bread bundt from last year.
Happy Sinterklass day. My kids being half Belgians we usually give them gifts except this year we completely forgot. I’ll give them hugs instead tonight. 😆🙈

I’ve decided this year the holidays will be diff

I’ve decided this year the holidays will be different. I’m exhausted. And I’m resolute that all my guests will participate in the cooking, table side. Tomato salad, roasted artichokes, fruits, nuts, some grilled mushrooms… all generously lathered in the luxurious @CarapelliUsa Il Centenario Extra Virgin Olive Oil, made from olive trees over 100 years old! Its innovative anti-drip spout and beautiful tinted glass bottle makes for a lovely addition to any festive table. But ultimately the taste is divine…fruity with a light flavour of leafy greens with hints of fresh vegetables. See my stories for a simple Tomato Nori Salad with a dollop of @CarapelliUsa Il Centenario EVOO recipe and for a link to purchase. #MyCarapelliCraft #CenturiesofMastery #OrganicOliveOil #ExtraVirginOliveOil #ad

We recently fostered Pepper. A border collie black

We recently fostered Pepper. A border collie black lab mix. A few weeks ago I storied her here on Instagram to see if anyone was interested. The reaction from people was interesting. Several people questioned why I wasn’t keeping her for myself. Some got quite upset with me. I love dogs. But I’m TIME broke. And Pepper needed training as she was an outdoor dog and displays signs of abuse. It made me realize that the way I presented Pepper didn’t tug at heartstrings. I didn’t share images of her tied up to an outdoor gazebo in freezing temps amongst her feces. Rather I showed her playing with my kids and my yellow senior lab Roxy. She looked happy and well and didn’t appear to need rescuing. I remember reading @cloudykitchen have the same issue with her rescue cats she fosters. My point to this long winded post ... foster homes are temporary and I should hope they look warm and wonderful. But these rescue animals still need forever homes. -Big thank you to @dinnerwithjulie @saltnpepperhere @rhubandcod @thegreatlolo for helping find her a home. Albeit, my home. And I’m never letting her go. xo #rescuedog #dontbuyadopt .
Ordered a magnificent canvas from @bureau_48 it’s in the shadows here but I’ll definitely be showing it off more in upcoming posts

Last month I had the pleasure of hosting a food st

Last month I had the pleasure of hosting a food styling workshop with @vinacasablanca wines to introduce Ayra Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Blanc to 🇨🇦. Vintner @gonzalobertelsen explained to us the unique terroir of Casablanca Valley in Chile. With morning fogs and ocean breezes, Ayra has a fresh approachable palate. Both the White and red equally attractive. Priced at $13.95 a bottle @lcbo I couldn’t help but buy a case of each online for the holiday season. #vinacasablanca
A special thank you to: @charton_hobbs_on
@michaelbiro @sirencommspr @timjgallant
And to all those that attended. Muchas Gracias.
@abhishekdekate
@ashkanhobian
@dialaskitchen
@dineandfash
@justcrumbs
@mariannadarlene
@saltnpepperhere

Chocolate chiffon bundt with speculoos, using pure

Chocolate chiffon bundt with speculoos, using pure Canadian Canola oil. Had a great time last week attending another informative session sponsored by @canolaeatwell and hosted by @erin.macgregor. We had the lovely @jasminebakerlife show us all how to make mini chiffon cakes and Jeannette @farminginpearls share a moving story about her family’s journey with their canola farm. Merci. ✨ #canolaconnect
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Been MIA here on IG. catching up now. C u in 4 hours.

#ad The best moments in life are those impromptu s

#ad The best moments in life are those impromptu stay in snow days. When all you wanna do is just hang with your family, eat food and play board games. With @metroontario Metro Online Grocery’s convenient same day online delivery, I’ve been doing just that these past few snowy days. With a few clicks in the morning, I’ve got all I need later in the day for dinner and even ice cream for both the kids and the dog!
From now until November 27th use online promo code stemsandforks15 with a min spend of $50 for a $15 discount or stemsandforks25 with a min spend of $100 for a $25 discount. Peep my stories for a quick look at the service and its features. https://www.metro.ca/en/online-grocery #metroonlinegrocery #grocerydelivery #groceryshopping #metroontario @metroontario

#partner These hands have made tens of thousands o

#partner These hands have made tens of thousands of wreaths. And This weekend I’ll be making a few more. Join me @MetroOntario North Pole (80 Front Street East - across St. Lawrence Market) Saturday November 16th 9am-12pm and Sunday November 17th 10am-1pm (during the Santa Claus Parade). And learn how to embellish a @MetroOntario festive wreath using nuts, dried fruits, pomegranates and other fun ingredients. A complimentary starter wreath decor kit will be provided with a purchase of any @metroontario wreath. (while supplies last) I’ll also be selling this wreath or any other wreath I make during my demos and @MetroOntario will forward all benefits to @unitedway ! Hope to see you all this weekend! #mymetro #metrogives #santaclausparade

#ad @sweetango_apple Crisp, beautiful, sweet with

#ad @sweetango_apple Crisp, beautiful, sweet with a tang of citrus, and an epic crunch. They’re the apple of my eye. Oh and so is Georgy! Only a few weeks left to snag some! 🍎#sweetango

#ad One Pot Kimchi Quinoa with @metroontario Irres

#ad One Pot Kimchi Quinoa with @metroontario Irresistibles Toasted Sesame Seed Oil, Selections Soya Sauce, vegan Kimchi, sweet potatoes, black beans, gingers and green onions. Ready in under 20 minutes including prep time, it’s the perfect cozy and filling weeknight dinner. Find all the ingredients at your local @MetroOntario. And yes…@MetroOntario has vegan kimchi and its bona fide! See recipe below. #mymetro .
Ingredients:
1 Cup Quinoa rinsed
2 cups water
1 can (540 ml) Irresistibles Black Beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup (150 g) Kimchi chopped (Live or Wildbrine Vegan)
1 cup (1 med or 200 g) sweet potato chopped into 1 “ cubes
1 cup (75 grams) shiitake mushrooms sliced
1 cup (1 med or 150 g) red onion minced
1 tablespoon (6 g) fresh ginger minced
1 stem green onion cut length wise, curly
2 tablespoons Irresistibles Toasted Sesame Seed Oil
3 tablespoons Selections Soya Sauce

In a medium pot, on medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon of Irresistibles Toasted Sesame Oil, lightly fry all the sweet potatoes, HALF the onions only (1/2 cup) and all shiitake mushrooms for 2 minutes.
Increase heat to high, add 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons Selections Soya Sauce and quinoa and bring to a boil.
Cover pot with lid and reduce heat to low/simmer for 12 minutes.
Turn heat off and add the remaining 1/2 cup minced onions, 1 tablespoon ginger, Irresistibles black beans, 1 tablespoon Irresistibles Toasted Sesame Seed Oil, 1 tablespoon Selections Soya Sauce and the chopped kimchi into the pot and mix with the quinoa. Cover lid for 2 minutes.
Fluff quinoa, garnish with green onion curls and serve.
Bon app!
Serves 4

Is it snowing where you are? Dreaming of cake, tea

Is it snowing where you are? Dreaming of cake, tea, crocus’...spring. #winterishere #tdot #the6ix #torontolife

#ad Known for its flavour and intense CRUNCH, @Swe

#ad Known for its flavour and intense CRUNCH, @SweeTango_Apple are red skinned with an intermittent splash of yellow and dotted with white freckles. Making them one of the most photogenic apples. But the beauty is not all exterior. @SweeTango_Apple are also known for its flavour…crisp and sweet, with a lively touch of citrus, honey and spice. …this wondrous apple is only available early October until mid-November or until stock runs out. Which will sadly be soon due to the effects Hurricane Dorian had on their crops, supplies are limited. 🏃🏻‍♀️! #sweetango

#partner Spent a wonderful day yesterday, mingling

#partner Spent a wonderful day yesterday, mingling and nibbling on samples of local vendors foods featured @metroontario "Spotlight on Local” booth @theroyalfair . Pictured above, vegan, gluten free pizza made with @wrapitup_raw wraps @ladeedagourmetsauces Butternut Squash Beet Sauce, Donato’s Bakery Marinara Artisanal Tomato Sauce with a light drizzle and side of @nerpysinc Hot Sauce. Visit to support and sample these local Ontario vendors and many more, today through November 10th @theRoyalFair.
❤️It was truly heartwarming to know how @metroontario commitment to bringing small local companies that would otherwise go unnoticed to the mainstream was appreciated by the vendors I spoke to. Peep my stories for more or just head down to the @theroyalfair and see for yourself. #MetroLovesLocal #mymetro #spotlightonlocal

Didn’t have time to make something clever with g

Didn’t have time to make something clever with ghosts. Instead here’s that cake I painted @sift.baking Cake painting workshop last week. A chocolate fudge cake with a layer of chocolate ganache and salted caramel covered in swiss meringue buttercream.
Palette painting is so different with buttercream. I think I painted about 5 different designs and ended up with this simple look.
I need more tutelage @sift.baking ! If you’re in the GTA check out @sift.baking for other culinary workshops coming up. #cakeart

I like my cocktails on Monday. Snapped for @northw

I like my cocktails on Monday. Snapped for @northwoodto “Hot coco with El Dorado rum, coconut, cardamom, cinnamon and banana mousse” #northwood #toronto

#ad Pumpkin Blueberry and Honey Cake. Why didn’t

#ad Pumpkin Blueberry and Honey Cake. Why didn’t I think of this combo before? Made with local ingredients from @metroontario Locally Sourced program supporting Ontario vendors. The artisanal raw honey and wild blueberry were a perfect marriage with the pumpkin. Find these vendors and a handful of other local producers at the Spotlight on Local @theroyalfair November 1st -10th at the Ex. See you all there!
#mymetro #metroloveslocal #buylocal

Had multiple projects this weekend including recip

Had multiple projects this weekend including recipe testing this bundt. Barely had time to take a proper shot as the sun had already set.
Time. The one commodity I would love to buy more of that isn’t for sale.
#yearofthebundt

#ad For me, quality ingredients are essential for

#ad For me, quality ingredients are essential for the most flavourful and distinct dining experience. Which is why I was thrilled to create this chestnut pesto using @carapelliusa Il Centenario Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Made from the early harvest of mature 100 year old olive trees, Il Centenario has tones of artichoke, fresh vegetables, with a hit of spice finishing with a pleasant bitterness on the palate. It pairs perfectly with the chestnut purée that accompanies the polenta, rapini and chèvre which I’ve carefully crafted on the plate pictured above. See my stories for some tips on the art of plating and a link to purchase.
Serves 4 starter portions.
Recipe:
Chestnut Pesto Puree
1 clove garlic
50g or 1/4 cup Roasted Chestnuts
30 g or 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup @CarapelliUsa Il Centenario Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
Salt to taste
170 g or 3/4 cup Chevre
4 stems fresh rapini
16 Olives
16 grape or cherry tomatoes
300 g polenta (4 pucks each about 1 inch wide or 75 grams each)
Puree the Chestnuts, parmesan, basil @carapelliUsa Il Centenario EVOO and salt to taste, in blender to a smooth consistency. set aside
Place non stick pan with a couple table spoons of @carapelliUsa Il Centenario on medium heat. Cook polenta pucks about 5 minutes on each side until browned and crispy.
Transfer to plate…In same pan, add the rapini (cut stalks cross wise) small tomatoes, olives and sauté for a 2-3 minutes.
For plating, see my stories
#MyCarapelliCraft #CenturiesofMastery #OrganicOliveOil #ExtraVirginOliveOil

Mildly obsessed with Isabella Stewart Gardner Muse

Mildly obsessed with Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum @gardnermuseum as well Boston, MA. It was my first time and it most definitely wont be my last.
Happy thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends. Hope you and your loved ones had a beautiful weekend. xo

All Inclusive Vacation -- White rum, Wray & Nephew

All Inclusive Vacation -- White rum, Wray & Nephew rum, pineapple, lime, 5 spice. Garnish: dried pineapple Shot for @northwoodto an out take from a series I took. That out of focus pineapple...It’s Monday. New day. New week. xo

Lovely Aimee @twiggstudios in June during the #rem

Lovely Aimee @twiggstudios in June during the #rembrandtWithaCamera Workshop I hosted along side with my Parisian beauty @thepineapplechef and @twiggstudios in London. :

A bit of Sunday ranting:
This space here…Stems & Forks. It is NOT a hobby. It's my job. I LOVE IT, and I enjoy it, but it doesn't come without stress and issues like any other job out there.
Why do I do sponsored posts? It allows me to LIVE. The campaigns I've been working on recently have been fantastic in terms of giving me a lot of creative freedom. They are also products I genuinely BELIEVE in and products I use myself. And for this, I am so so thankful to all the brands that I've worked with.
There have been times I've said no to products…because it doesn't make sense to Stems & Forks, or they were companies with poor reputations with labour/environment, etc.
Do I consider myself to be an ARTIST? My answer to that question is,
"Is it wrong to profit from my work?" #artdoesnotapologize

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